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Vehicle safety record

2011 Pierce Impel Problems, complaints & recalls

No owner complaints about the 2011 Pierce Impel have been filed with NHTSA. It is covered by 8 recalls, the latest in January 2019 for the software.

NHTSA data checked

DMore problems than a typical Impel year, for its age

Complaints
0
Recalls
8
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
0

2011 Pierce Impel recalls 8

Recall repairs are free. Your dealer fixes them whether or not you bought the car there - check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is done. What to do

Electrical system: software

19V022000994 vehicles affected

The problem
Pierce Manufacturing (Pierce) is recalling certain 2004-2018 Arrow XT, Dash, Enforcer, Impel, Quantum and Velocity aerial vehicles. The aerial device may unexpectedly rotate to the right when the ladder is being extended.
The risk
If the aerial device moves in an unexpected direction, the ladder may contact an object, such as a building or an electrical wire, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix
Pierce will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the aerial control module, free of charge. The recall began February 28, 2019. Owners may contact Pierce customer service at 1-888-974-3723. Pierce's number for this recall is 74B295.

Structure

18V46300017 vehicles affected

The problem
Pierce Manufacturing (Pierce) is recalling certain 2007-2017 Pierce Velocity, Impel, Arrow-XT, Quantum, and Enforcer emergency response vehicles equipped with 75ft aerial devices with a 21 inch or 28 inch limited retraction bracket. The bracket on the aerial device may detach from the aerial and fall to the ground.
The risk
If the bracket falls, it could strike a person below.
The fix
Pierce will notify owners, and dealers will install additional hardware to mount the limited retraction bracket, free of charge. The recall began on August 22, 2018. Owners may contact Pierce customer service at 1-888-974-3723. Pierce's number for this recall is 74B290.

Suspension: lower arm

14V660000135 vehicles affected

The problem
Pierce Manufacturing (Pierce) is recalling certain model year 2009-2013 Pierce Enforcer, Impel, Quantum, Velocity, and Arrow XT emergency vehicles manufactured November 11, 2009, to April 23, 2013, and equipped with TAK-4 front independent suspensions. The affected vehicles have front lower control arms that may crack and fracture.
The risk
If one of the lower control arm fractures, the attached wheel may separate, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix
Pierce will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the lower control arms, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on November 5, 2014. Owners may contact Pierce customer service at 1-888-974-3723. Pierce's number for this recall is 74B257.

Electrical system

13V518000349 vehicles affected

The problem
Pierce Manufacturing Inc. (Pierce) is recalling one model year 2009 Enforcer emergency vehicle and certain model year 2009-2013 Arrow XT, Saber, Velocity, Impel, Quantum, and Commercial vehicles. The trailer connector circuit was wired such that the stop signal overrides the turn signal and the trailer lights do not indicate a turn when brakes are applied.
The risk
The absence of trailer turn signals may confuse other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix
Pierce will notify owners, and dealers will install a new electrical harness, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule. Owners may contact Pierce at 1-920-832-3000. Pierce's recall number is 74B244.

Structure: door

13V2140002,006 vehicles affected

The problem
Pierce Manufacturing Inc. (Pierce) is recalling certain model year 2007-2013 Velocity, Impel, and Dash CF emergency vehicles manufactured June 6, 2007, through May 31, 2013. The springs in the outer door handles are not of sufficient stiffness to prevent inadvertent door opening in certain impacts. Thus, these vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 206, "Door Locks and Door Retention Components."
The risk
In the event of a crash, the weak springs may allow the door to open and possibly fail to contain emergency personnel or equipment, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix
Pierce will notify owners, and dealers will replace the door handle spring with a stiffer one, free of charge. Owners may contact Pierce at 1-920-832-3000. The recall began on June 28, 2013. Pierce's recall number is 74B242.

Structure: door

11V55100059 vehicles affected

The problem
Pierce manufacturing (pierce) is recalling certain model year 2005, 2008-2011 arrow xt, custom contender, dash, enforcer, impel, quantum, saber, and velocity 75 foot hal (heavy aluminum ladder) fire apparatus bodies vehicles manufactured from may 17,2005, through october 13, 2011, that may be equipped with dual scba cylinder storage compartments. These compartments extend inboard horizontally from the side of the rear body. The scba compartment door latch orientation may have been manufactured incorrectly, allowing the door to accidentally open while the vehicle is in motion. The door may open without warning and without knowledge to the driver.
The risk
If the door opens, the scba cylinders may fall out of the compartment and onto the roadway, increasing the risk of a crash or injury to pedestrians.
The fix
Pierce dealers will notify owners, and will install a flat reinforcement plate that spans the length of the scba door. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall began on december 5, 2011. Owners may contact pierce at 1-920-832-3000.

Electronic stability control (ESC)

11V527000724 vehicles affected

The problem
Pierce manufacturing (pierce) is recalling certain model year 2007-2011 arrow xtand velocity, model year 2008-2011 custom contender, impel, quantum and model year 2009-2011 saber emergency trucks, equipped with meritor wabco electronic stability control (esc) modules, manufactured from december 19, 2007, through october 7, 2011. Under certain road and driving conditions, vehicle body roll and road inclination characteristics may adversely affect the slip angle calculation of the electronic stability control (esc) system. This might cause the esc to perceive an over steering situation and therefore apply the outer wheel brake on the front axle until the vehicle is perceived to be stable.
The risk
If the driver is slow to react during this esc intervention, the vehicle may deviate from the intended line of travel, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix
Pierce is working with meritor wabco and will replace the control module free of charge. The safety recall began on december 16, 2011. Owners may contact meritor wabco at 1-248-435-8001 or pierce at 1-920-832-3000.

Engine and engine cooling

11V42200018 vehicles affected

The problem
Pierce is recalling certain model year 2011 arrow xt, custom contender, dash cf, impel, saber, and velocity emergency vehicles manufactured from january 24, 2011, through april 19, 2011, equipped with a cummins isb, isx, isc, or isl diesel engine. The v-band clamp assembly, part numbers q187684, q187685, and q187686, used to connect the inlet and outlet cone sections to the diesel oxidation catalyst (doc)/diesel particulate filter (dpf) include a t-bolt which can fracture and fail when subjected to stress or load. A fracture or failure of the t-bolt may cause the clamp to loosen and the inlet or outlet sections attached to the doc/dpf housing to disconnect.
The risk
If the inlet or outlet sections disconnect, hot exhaust gases can vent prior to exiting the tailpipe, creating the risk of combustion and a fire. If both clamps fail, there is a risk in some applications that the doc/dpf housing may detach completely, creating a road hazard.
The fix
Pierce is working with cummins to identify and notify owners of the recall campaign. Repairs will be performed by authorized cummins dealers free of charge. The safety recall began on october 10, 2011. Owners may contact cummins at 1-812-377-5000 or pierce at 1-920-832-3000.

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No complaints about the 2011 Pierce Impel yet

No owner has filed a complaint about this vehicle with NHTSA. If yours has a problem, share it here and report it to NHTSA.

Pierce Impel: every year compared

YearComplaintsRecallsCrashesFiresTop problemGrade
20150900-D
20140300-B
20130700-C
20120500-C
20110800-D
20100900-D
200901300-F
200811500Driver assistanceF
200731200SteeringF
All Impel years

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Questions about the 2011 Pierce Impel

Does the 2011 Pierce Impel have any recalls?

Yes - NHTSA lists 8 recalls for the 2011 Pierce Impel: software (January 2019); structure (July 2018); lower arm (October 2014); electrical system (October 2013) and more. Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours has been fixed.

How many complaints has the 2011 Pierce Impel had?

None have been filed with NHTSA so far.

Is the 2011 Pierce Impel a reliable vehicle?

Its Safety Index is 39 out of 100 (grade D: more problems than a typical Pierce Impel year, for its age). The index weighs complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and recalls against how long the vehicle has been on the road, compared with the same model's other years. It is not a measure of every repair - read the complaints and owner experiences, and have any used vehicle inspected before you buy.

Which Pierce Impel years have the most complaints?
What should I do if my 2011 Pierce Impel has a problem?

If it is a safety problem, stop driving it if it is unsafe and contact your dealer. Report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem - enough reports start investigations and recalls - and share your experience here so other owners know what to look for.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data

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